We’ll be opening Cranbrook Institute of Science on select Saturday evenings for unique after-hours family experiences. Join us for one of three themed evenings – Astronomy, Paleontology (dinosaurs and fossils), or Crime Scene Investigation.

Drop off your gear, grab some pizza, then dive into a series of fast-paced, hands-on programs. Next, step into the Acheson Planetarium for a live-guided tour of the night sky, peer into the telescope in the observatory, or investigate our newest traveling exhibit, The Science of Archimedes.

Saturday Night Science has two formats.
For the Evening Programs, doors open at 5:30pm for check-in and pizza dinner. Programming begins promptly at 6:00pm and concludes by 9:00pm.

For the Overnight option, enjoy all the activities of the Evening Program then pull out your sleeping bags and settle in for a night among the exhibits. Late night snacks and a movie add to the after-hours adventure!
Programming begins promptly at 6:00pm and the event concludes by 8:00am.

We designed the Saturday Science overnights to be fun, engaging, and awe-inspiring events for families, friends, groups, and Scouts aged 5-adult.

Many overnights are Scout badge-aligned – check the individual listings!

Astronomy – Explore the night sky as you chat with an astronomer, explore space engineering, make moon phases happen, hold a meteorite, hear an unexpected constellation story, and take a walk to see how far the planets really are from the Sun – and each other. As a special gift, take home an astronaut snack!

Space Science Evening Program is offered February 22
Space Science Overnight is offered April 12 and May 3

Involved in Scouting? This program partially or fully meets requirements for the following Girl Scout and Cub Scout badges: Daisy Space Science Explorer, Brownie Space Science Adventurer, Junior Space Science Investigator, Tiger Sky is the Limit.

Paleo Science – Are you a dinosaur or fossil enthusiast? Touch dinosaur bones straight from the field, hold a mammoth tooth dating from the Ice Ages, and take the hand of T.rex. Follow paleontologist footprints as you make casts from real fossils and see why our view of ancient creatures is ever changing. As a special gift, take home a fossil from a prehistoric apex predator!

The Paleo Science Evening Program is offered March 8.

Involved in Scouting? This program provides background for the Wolf Digging in the Past Elective Adventure.

Crime Scene Investigation Science – Can you crack the case? Begin by honing your detective skills with workshops in memory, blood analysis, fingerprints, and other evidence. Next, it’s time to investigate the crime scene! Collect evidence, analyze clues, consider suspects, and confer with your team. Who do YOU think committed the crime? As a special gift, take home a secret message communicator!

The CSI Overnight is offered January 18.
The CSI Evening Program is offered April 26.

Involved in Scouting? This program fully meets the requirements of the following Girl Scout and Cub Scout badges: Junior Detective and Bear Forensics.

Evening Program and Overnight Fee Details

Price includes museum admission.

  • Evening Programs – Member Children/Scouts/Adults $42.50/person, non- Member Children/Scouts/Adults $50/person
  • Overnight Programs – Member Children/Scouts/Adults $85/person, non-Member Children/Scouts/Adults $100/person
  • Special Cranbrook Institute of Science patches are available for $5
  • Registration closes 10 calendar days before the program
  • Programs with less than 60 total attendees may be canceled and refunds issued

Guest Cancellations

  • There are no refunds for Evening Programs or Overnights. Any cancellations made at least 10 days prior to the event date may request a one-time transfer credit to another event prior to May 10, 2025, pending availability.

Questions? Email us at cisreservations@cranbrook.edu or call (248) 645-3210.